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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Civil War Records

There are 50 pages of records for my great, great grandfather's service in the Civil War! So far, this is what I know.... He was wounded in the battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi on December 29, 1863. Shrapnel from a cannon ball hit him in the head, fortunately the wound was minor. I have his signatures on several documents, and also his wife.

My great, great grandfather helped burn Atlanta. Remember the scene from Gone with the Wind where Rhett and Scarlett barely escape with their lives as they pass a 5 story building full of flames? ... Yes, my grandpa was one of those dirty yankees in Georgia!

An 85 lb. soldier
from the Civil War

He served as a private from beginning to the end of the Civil War. His company "was reenrolled at Woodville Alibama on the 1st day of January 1864 was with the Army of Gen Sherman on the March from Atlanta to Savannah in the State of Georgia – That the soldiers had no tents but Shelter Tents that on said March by reason of Exposure and hard marching the said James M. contracted the Chronic Disease – The same was in the line of his duty. The Army left Atlanta Oct 3rd 18yr and got to Savannah December 24th 1864."

The disease he contracted toward the end of the war disabled him for the rest of his life. When he went to war he weighed 180 lbs, healthy for a man who was 5' 10" tall. When he arrived back home at the end of the war he weighed 85 lbs.

He fought in many battles, I'll have to make a list, watch for that in the near future.

About Me

I've made clothing, home dec, upholstered but my favorite use of a sewing machine is quilting. I live on the east coast, but was born and raised in Iowa. My daughter is in college and I home school my son. I bought a long arm quilting machine 2 years ago and I stay busy, busy, busy!